Let Him Be: Why We Should Stop Calling Him 'IIT Baba'
The story of Abhay Singh, widely labeled as "IIT Baba," is yet another example of how society reacts when someone attempts to break away from the expected norms. A brilliant aerospace engineering graduate from IIT Bombay, Abhay chose a spiritual path over a conventional career. Instead of allowing him the space to explore his journey, people have thrust an identity upon him—one that comes with mockery, judgment, and unwarranted scrutiny.
Why is it that whenever someone embraces spiritual awakening, society suddenly becomes insecure? The moment an individual begins seeking something beyond material success, they are labeled as a ‘baba’ or a ‘maa,’ as if spirituality is an anomaly rather than a natural phase of human evolution. The truth is, Abhay Singh is just a regular person like any of us. He is going through a phase of self-discovery, a transition that anyone can experience at some point in life. Why must we sensationalize it and refuse to let him live his life on his own terms?
A Lesson from Sushant Singh Rajput’s Journey
The tragedy of Sushant Singh Rajput serves as a stark reminder of what happens when society fails to understand an individual’s transition. Sushant, like Abhay, was an intelligent mind who sought deeper truths beyond fame and fortune. He was fascinated by astrophysics, spirituality, and philosophy—subjects that often make people uncomfortable because they challenge societal conditioning. Instead of supporting his intellectual and spiritual quest, the people around him did not understand and influenced him into toxicities that ultimately led to his downfall.
Whether his death was a suicide, or a murder is still debated, but one thing remains clear: he was a victim of societal pressure and negativity.
The circumstances surrounding his untimely passing continue to be a subject of intense speculation. Regardless of the cause, one thing remains undeniable: Sushant was a victim of the overwhelming pressure and negativity from society. His deep, intellectual pursuits and spiritual explorations were misunderstood, and he found himself trapped in an environment that failed to nurture his quest for meaning. The world he sought to understand was not the same world that embraced him, and the toxicity around him made it impossible to flourish. He was a seeker, a thinker, and someone who wanted to uncover life’s deeper meanings. But the world around him was too toxic, and that toxicity won.
Stop the Judgment, Let Him Grow
Whenever a person attempts to transition from one phase of their life to another, they are met with resistance, scrutiny, and sometimes outright hostility. The media plays a significant role in this, branding individuals with names and creating narratives that do more harm than good. The relentless tagging of Abhay Singh as “IIT Baba” is a prime example of how we force labels onto people, stripping them of their right to be seen as normal individuals.
People often fail to understand that the journey of self-discovery is deeply personal and natural. There’s no need to sensationalize it or create unnecessary drama around someone’s evolution. Instead of embracing this phase as part of human experience, society often reacts with fear and insecurity. Spiritual awakening or searching for deeper meaning shouldn't be seen as abnormal. It’s simply a part of the human journey.
This unnecessary attention and negativity not only hinder his personal journey but also affects the positive contributions he could make to the world. Spiritual growth requires a nurturing environment, free from judgment and hostility. When a person is constantly surrounded by cynicism, it hampers their ability to bring forth their unique gifts—gifts that could help make this world a better place.
Beyond Labels: Visionaries Who Defied Societal Expectations and Transformed the World
Abhay’s spiritual journey echoes the lives of many visionary individuals who faced resistance for breaking from conventional paths. Albert Einstein was once labeled "slow" and faced skepticism for his theory of relativity, yet his discoveries reshaped our understanding of the universe. Nikola Tesla, ahead of his time with ideas like alternating current and wireless communication, was ridiculed and opposed, but his inventions continue to impact technology today.
Galileo Galilei, branded a heretic for supporting the heliocentric model, faced persecution, yet his work laid the foundation for modern science. Frida Kahlo, discriminated for her bold, personal art, became a feminist icon. Socrates was sentenced to death for challenging Greek beliefs but is considered the father of Western philosophy today.
Carl Jung, initially focused on psychiatry, embraced spirituality later in life, exploring the unconscious and Eastern philosophies. His ideas, though criticized at the time, now influence modern psychology and spirituality.
Steve Jobs also embraced spirituality later in life, particularly through Buddhism. His meditation practices shaped his creativity and approach to business, emphasizing simplicity and mindfulness, which helped define Apple's success.
These individuals were labeled and misunderstood, but their legacies have profoundly shaped the world, reminding us that true change often comes from those who dare to question and break free from societal expectations.
A Call for Compassion: Embracing Change for a Better Future
If we cannot find it within ourselves to support Abhay Singh for his personal journey, then let us at least do so for the greater good of the world around us. Every individual who embarks on a path of self-discovery holds the potential to unlock insights and contribute something meaningful to humanity. By ridiculing or dismissing someone for their spiritual or intellectual pursuits, we rob both them and society of the opportunity to benefit from their growth.
Abhay Singh is not defined by the label “IIT Baba”—he is simply a person, much like any of us, navigating his own quest for truth and understanding. He deserves the space to evolve without the burden of societal judgment. When we surround those on their journey of self-discovery with negativity, we hinder their progress and limit the contributions they can make to the world.
Let us look beyond the labels and embrace the potential in each individual. If we cannot support someone for their sake, we should at least do so for the betterment of society and the world we all share. Our collective growth depends on our ability to uplift one another, allowing each person the freedom to explore and contribute without fear of ridicule. In supporting their journey, we ultimately nurture a world that is more compassionate, open, and ready for positive change.
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